It's time for the results of top 150 movies of the 1990s by Acclaimed Music Forumers.

Before I start the countdown here's some things concerning the presentation, the voters and the formula.

Fans section: You are fan if the movie is in your top 30. If you have seen less than 60 movies you are fan of every movie in your top half.

Haters section: You are "hater" of the bottom 10 % of your movies (rounded up). So if you voted 80 movies you are hater of 8 movies, 81 movies hater of 9 movies etc. I know many don't (and some who really does) hate a single movie in this top 150 but haters section is often informative and funny.

I changed the calculation formula a bit. The basics are the same: a movie gets 2100/(i+20) where i is rank of the movie. The haven’t seen ones get a score that an average movie would had get (if you have seen 100 movies the not-seen ones get score that #50,5 would have gotten). But after that I weighted the sums so that everyone has same sum of points to share. That means more you have seen more your opinion weights (BleuPanda’s coeffient is 1 that is maximum). In practice this means that the movies that were high on the lists of people who has seen less movies are a bit lower on the final list than before and vice versa. I think this is fare (+ if you have seen less movies more likely you have seen only movies you enjoy, so your bottom movies don’t suffer that much). I will add the original rank too so you can check were the movie would have been if I had used that formula.

I want to thank you all who voted. And especially I want to thank all who commented the movies and very special thanks to BleuPanda who commented all the 150 movies.Last but not least the super-very-special thanks to bonnielaurel who collected about 50 movie quotes.

I actually haven't read the comments yet and haven't looked the results neither. So every group of five is going to be a surprise to me as well.

I will release first #100-#26 and after that #150-#101 and finally top 25. I think it's more exciting if you don't know in the beginning which movies missed the top 100 (there are many surprises for sure).

147. (147.) In the Line of Fire (1993) Director: Wolfgang Petersen Country: USA Points: 507,17 Year rank: #14 of 1993 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #47. Votes: 13 Fans: stone37 #11 Haters: BleuPanda #139/150, bonnielaurel #119/122, Michel #124/131, Bruno #70/70, Petri #137/143 Comment(s): In the Line of Fire had a handful of strong performances, but it never seems to try harder than it needs. It is a perfectly acceptable film, nothing more or less. (BleuPanda)

Is this your first time being robbed?

146. (143.) Out of Sight (1998) Director: Steven Soderbergh Country: USA Points: 510,76 Year rank: #14 of 1998 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #20. Votes: 15 Fans: bootsy #21 Haters: Gillingham #107/112, Miguel #78/82, Petri #131/143, Greg #111/121 Comment(s): How many reasonably well-made American films are in this? I guess I'll rank this one higher than the others because George Clooney is a more charming actor. (BleuPanda)

Mmmmm. Better than ladybugs.

145. (145.) James and the Giant Peach (1996) Director: Henry Selick Country: USA / UK Points: 511,02 Year rank: #14 of 1996 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank - (Not a single vote!). Votes: 9 Fans: Maschine Man #27 Haters: BleuPanda #150/150, Dexter #135/141, Petri #140/143 Comment(s): There are only two films from the 90s that I would give a 9.5/10 or higher than missed the cut; it's a shame The Nightmare Before Christmas missed this when its supremely inadequate followup squeaked by due to a comparitevely weak year. Contrasting these two movies feels like the perfect way to describe the difference between a family film and a children's film. Where The Nightmare Before Christmas has truly engaging characters and questions the morality of what its protagonist is doing (mixed with an outstanding musical score - better than any traditional Disney animated film for sure), James and the Giant Peach relies on cheap humor, one-note characters, and sudden sequences that don't really add much of anything. It's a silly film that only stands out due to its unique animation. It's not a bad movie, but it clearly doesn't belong in a discussion of the best movies of the 90s. (BleuPanda)

No vote. I have seen this back in 1996, but that's too long ago to base a vote on. Still want to note how weird it is to see this here, but no The Nightmare Before Christmas. What happened? (Rob)

Destiny is something we've invented because we can't stand the fact that everything that happens is accidental.

You are probably wondering why I keep appearing in your memories, John.

143. (146.) Dark City (1998) Director: Alex Proyas Country: Australia, USA Points: 516,47 Year rank: #15 of 1998 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #17. Votes: 13 Fans: None Haters: stone37 #76/82, notbrianeno #40/43 Comment(s): Dark City is a film that mixes many styles to surprising success. A sci-fi film noir, Dark City gets deep in philosophical concepts and pushes further with inspiring expressionist-inspired art design. The narrative relevations are breathtaking. (BleuPanda)

142. (144.) Aladdin (1992) Director: John Musker, Ron Clements Country: USA Points: 517,06 Year rank: #13 of 1992 Rank in last round: Not in the final. The results of the 1992 poll of last round could not be counted. Votes: 15 Fans: notbrianeno #20, bonnielaurel #23 Haters: Petri #139/143 Comment(s): I'm generally a sucker for animation. I'm not sure why Aladdin in particular stands out among the Disney canon beside coming out between two of the most popular, but it's always been a fun film. Robin Williams' Genie is one of the best animated film performances. (BleuPanda)

Give it up. It's time to stop running.

141. (139.) The Godfather, Part III (1990) Director: Francis Ford Coppola Country: USA Points: 520,52 Year rank: #9 of 1990 Rank in last round: 95 (Down 46) Votes: 18 Fans: Bruno #10, stone37 #17 Haters: BleuPanda #149/150, Rocky Raccoon #73/80, Maschine Man #63/65 Petri #129/143, Dolly Wilde #55/57 Comment(s): Well, this film really did nothing to add to the first two films, and really did little more than make me question what happened to Coppola after all these years. Even its visual design felt off throughout, and the narrative felt lost within itself. I think it would have been forgotten if not for its title. (BleuPanda)

Many times I'd felt alone, but until this afternoon I'd never felt completely lonely.

139. (141.) Basic Instinct (1992) Director: Paul Verhoeven Country: USA / France Points: 522,66 Year rank: #7 of 1992 Rank in last round: Not in the final. The results of the 1992 poll of last round could not be counted. Votes: 17 Fans: bonnielaurel #6, Depeche Mode #7 Haters: BleuPanda #145/150, stone37 #74/82, Michel #123/131, antonius #107/111, Rocky Raccoon #77/80, Midaso #117/123, notbrianeno #39/43 Comment(s): There are two films from the 90s I would give a 9.5/10 or higher that missed this final list; Starship Troopers would have been my #18 on this list, in fact. Paul Verhoeven tends to do violence better than he does sex. He is one of the transgressives of semi-mainstream cinema, but he handles sex in a way that feels less boundary-pushing and more like juvenile fantasy. (BleuPanda)

Much more than the one scene everybody remembers this is one of the most enjoyable thrillers of the nineties. A neo-noir atmosphere is created by images of San Francisco, shadows, mirror reflections, cubist paintings, the music of Jerry Goldsmith and a femme fatale. Gender roles are inverted when a woman uses an ice pick. During the interrogation scene the men can only stare at her. It's typically nineties while at the same time incorporating style elements of older suspense pictures. (bonnielaurel)

I don’t think this is a popular opinion but this is one of top ten funniest films I’ve ever seen. Like, everyone knows about the interrogation scene for one reason but it’s actually so memorable for me cause it always makes me laugh my ass off. It’s one of the best acted too. Sharon Stone totally embodies her slightly absurd character to the point you don’t worry if things don’t entirely make sense and you just want watch her every move. I really underestimated this film watching it thinking it will be generic and maybe to some extent it is but acting and the additional bluntness from Verehoven makes it so watchable. But bluntness and craziness is reigned in here, in a way it still works as a Hitchcookian thriller, and it is the reason I like it more than Showgirls. (DepecheMode)

I always wanted to be an astronaut.

138. (138.) In the Name of the Father (1993) Director: Jim Sheridan Country: Ireland, UK, USA Points: 525,65 Year rank: #15 of 1993 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #22. Votes: 12 Fans: None Haters: Rob #101/109, Bruno #65/70, Miguel #80/82 Comment(s): A compelling work with many powerful performances, In the Name of the Father is an expertly crafted take on injustice; however, it lacks any key moments to really latch onto. (BleuPanda)

I film I liked more than I thought I would. I think it was the director. (whuntva),

136. (135.) The Fugitive (1993) Director: Andrew Davis Country: USA Points: 534,13 Year rank: #7 of 1993 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #11. Votes: 13 Fans: stone37 #16 Haters: Gillingham #101/112 Comment(s): This film manages to escape the cluster of good-but-not-great American films by having a surprisingly effective moral dilemma between the two leads. Tommy Lee Jones' delivery of the line "I don't care" in regards to Harrison Ford's proclaimed innocence really sells this as a film working on a different level. It's still a basic thriller, but it has a certain amount of self-awareness that makes it resonate. (BleuPanda)

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129. (124.) The Sixth Sense (1999) Director: M. Night Shyamalan Country: USA Points: 547,54 Year rank: #15 of 1999 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #13. Votes: 19 Fans: bootsy #14, Bruno #19, Rocky Raccoon #24, Dolly Wilde #26, whuntva #30 Haters: Rob #104/109, Greg #109/121 Comment(s): This is a perfectly fun movie with a stellar performance from a young actor, but it doesn't do enough on a cinematic level. Caught on mainly due to an effective twist; in the end, it's an above average popcorn flick. (BleuPanda)

Cheating on a quiz show? That's sort of like plagiarizing a comic strip.

126. (122.) Quiz Show (1994) Director: Robert Redford Country: USA Points: 551,03 Year rank: #14 of 1994 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #13. Votes: 13 Fans: Rocky Raccoon #11, stone37 #28 Haters: Michel #119/131, Rob #102/109, antonius #109/111 Comment(s): Generic good-but-not-great American movie, though it does a fine job drawing attention to one of the more interesting legal issues in American history. (BleuPanda)

So many places you see, you wouldn't think twice about, they pass right through you.

125. (123.) The Adjuster (1991) Director: Atom Egoyan Country: Canada Points: 551,22 Year rank: #15 of 1991 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #13. Votes: 7 Fans: Miguel #11 Haters: BleuPanda #141/150, Michel #120/131, Gillingham #105/112, Midaso #114/123 Comment(s): One of a handful of films that had disjointed narratives, but didn't carry enough of a hook to keep me intrigued. I'm sure there was something to this, and I loved the other Atom Egoyan film I watched for this, but nothing clicked. (BleuPanda)

...then promise me something, just one thing: the day you don't love me anymore don't pretend you do.

123. (120.) Le mari de la coiffeuse [The Hairdresser's Husband] (1990) Director: Patrice Leconte Country: France Points: 555,57 Year rank: #13 of 1990 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #12. Votes: 8 Fans: Miguel #20 Haters: BleuPanda #137/150 Comment(s): Though a bit too sex-obsessed for my asexual taste, I felt like this work stood out with its presentation; it finds a few key images that stand out. But, in the end, it didn't enthrall me. (BleuPanda)

I thought the world had by now agreed that this is a terrible movie and in a weird way an insult to the Holocaust. One of the worst moments in history transformed in slapstick and weepie for children. Come on… (Rob)

Well, we're not in the middle of nowhere, but we can see it from here.

My top schools where I want to apply to are Oxford and the Sorbonne. My safety's Harvard.

118. (127.) Rushmore (1998) Director: Wes Anderson Country: USA Points: 562,45 Year rank: #7 of 1998 Rank in last round: 50 (Down 68) Votes: 17 Fans: notbrianeno #6 , Midaso #24, Dexter #29 Haters: stone37 #77/82, whuntva #79/83, Petri #132/143 Comment(s): Wes Anderson's first true masterpiece, Rushmore is a bit lighter than the rest of his works. Yet, its script is as perfectly crafted as ever, and it is a successful exploration of odd teenage ideologies. Though he would perfect his craft in The Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore is still just as essential. (BleuPanda)

Hank, do you ever feel evil? I do.

117. (117.) A Simple Plan (1998) Director: Sam Raimi Country: USA, UK, Germany, France, Japan Points: 563,19 Year rank: #12 of 1998 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #17. Votes: 13 Fans: Midaso #26 Haters: None Comment(s): While it owes a lot to Fargo, A Simple Plan finds its own unique spin on the Coen-style fiasco. A Simple Plan explores the unexpected when it calls attention to the idea of brotherhood, and is surprisingly poignant when it confronts how its two leads confront the morality of their actions. (BleuPanda)

A man curses because he doesn't have the words to say what's on his mind.

116. (118.) Malcolm X (1992) Director: Spike Lee Country: USA Points: 563,70 Year rank: #14 of 1992 Rank in last round: 91 (Down 25) Votes: 12 Fans: bootsy #24, Rocky Raccoon #29 Haters: None Comment(s): Malcolm X is one of the most intriguing historical figures of the 20th century. Where everyone has an easy time understanding people like Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X is a bit harder to take in. His rhetoric is stronger than the average person can accept, but perhaps that is necessary when put in such a position. Spike Lee's film is an honest portrayal of Malcolm X's life; by surveying Malcolm X's entire adult life, we see how he could come to such conclusions, and we get a detailed look at how his own views evolved over time. Spike Lee has a strong sense of staging, and his use of colors makes effective symbolic statements. (BleuPanda)

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I used to think there was a kind of bird that, once born, would keep flying until death.

115. (113.) 阿飛正傳 [Days of Being Wild] (1990) Director: Wong Kar-wai Country: Hong Kong Points: 563,88 Year rank: #12 of 1990 Rank in last round: 71 (Down 44) Votes: 9 Fans: fredp #11 Haters: None Comment(s): Wong Kar-wai is one of those directors I kind of get lost in sometimes, and this is one of those times. I can adore his style, but the narrative left me in a haze. (BleuPanda)

"

Came to see her didn't you. Listen, there's something I should tell you. She's, uh...She's what?She's on!

" 114. (119.) The Crying Game (1992) Director: Neil Jordan Country: UK Points: 566,30 Year rank: #5 of 1992 Rank in last round: 87 (Down 27) Votes: 13 Fans: Rocky Raccoon #15, Dexter #23, fredp #24 Haters: bootsy #63/67, BleuPanda #138/150, Bruno #66/70 Comment(s): While it must have felt fresh in the early 90s, most films really fumble when it comes to representing transgender characters. Even though I think the character herself is fine, the film spends too much time observing the protagonist's horrible reactions to the 'revelation.' I also had no idea this was about The Troubles, and it really feels like it doesn't want to be; The Crying Game bites off more than it can chew. (BleuPanda)

That was a blank. The next one's real. Are you sure?

113. (106.) Trois couleurs: Blanc [Three Colors: White] (1994) Director: Krzyztof Kieslowski Country: France, Poland, Switzerland Points: 567,08 Year rank: #15 of 1994 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #13. Votes: 14 Fans: Dolly Wilde #12, whuntva #18, Depeche Mode #22 Haters: Dexter #129/141, Miguel #77/82 Comment(s): I wonder how much this film is hurt in my mind by the inevitable comparison to the other two Three Colours films? It's a comedy in the middle of two dramas, but I never really got much from its humor. (BleuPanda)

Really funny for me but maybe in part cause I’m Polish (DepecheMode)

Larry, we're not electing the fucking Pope here.

112. (116.) Election (1999) Director: Alexander Payne Country: USA Points: 567,17 Year rank: #14 of 1999 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #19. Votes: 9 Fans: Midaso #27, stone37 #30 Haters: None Comment(s): Election is a funny film that is at its best when it's using the unique aspects of the medium; gags such as freezeframes always ending on a smug expression really work. The narrative is a beautiful exercise in pettiness, and the characters are surprisingly well-defined for the type of film it is. Definitely a big surprise for me after not meshing well with Payne's more popular works. (BleuPanda)

Franke, my friend!

111. (101.) Pusher (1996) Director: Nicolas Winding Refn Country: Denmark Points: 569,19 Year rank: #13 of 1996 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #11. Votes: 9 Fans: Krurze #4, Depeche Mode #29 Haters: BleuPanda #140/150 Comment(s): It was interesting to see a much earlier film by Nicolas Winding Refn, but this one didn't stick with me like Drive. (BleuPanda)

It feels like a first film. Winding Refn is one of my favorite modern directors, and while this is still good, I can see he hasn't hit his stride yet. (whuntva)

109. (115.) Gattaca (1997) Director: Andrew Niccol Country: USA Points: 569,56 Year rank: #9 of 1997 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #15. Votes: 13 Fans: whuntva #12, antonius #19, Miguel #24 Haters: Krurze #22/22, Dexter #128/141 Comment(s): I feel like there's something I missed here; I'm usually more genre-friendly, but nothing here gripped me. The ethical debate it stirs up is important to consider, but I have never gotten much else from it. (BleuPanda)

That's it! Now say good night.

108. (104.) American History X (1998) Director: Tony Kaye Country: USA Points: 569,79 Year rank: #8 of 1998 Rank in last round: 89 (Down 19) Votes: 16 Fans: Bruno #14, Maschine Man #22, Depeche Mode #28 , bootsy #29 Haters: Rob #107/109, Dexter #132/141, fredp #82/85 Comment(s): American History X feels highly misguided in how it is trying to make a statement, and it bothers me the way it is held up on the internet. Edward Norton gives a phenomenal performance, but the actual narrative could have been handled a lot better. (BleuPanda)

This whole world's wild at heart and weird on top.

107. (110.) Wild at Heart (1990) Director: David Lynch Country: USA Points: 571,53 Year rank: #5 of 1990 Rank in last round: 78 (Down 29) Votes: 15 Fans: notbrianeno #7, Petri #19, Depeche Mode #30 Haters: stone37 #79/82 Comment(s): Wild At Heart is one of Lynch's oddest films; not due to its narrative, which is relatively straightforward, but in its simply bizarre presentation. It feels rather disjointed, but a few key moments really work; the lead characters coming across a car crash is especially effective. (BleuPanda)

You see how picky I am about my shoes and they only go on my feet.

106. (107.) Clueless (1995) Director: Amy Heckerling Country: USA Points: 571,59 Year rank: #14 of 1995 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #20. Votes: 15 Fans: bonnielaurel #8, Maschine Man #11, notbrianeno #14, stone37 #27 Haters: bootsy #67/67, Rocky Raccoon #74/80, Midaso #118/123Comment(s): Every few years, a teen comedy comes along that perfectly captures the trends of its time. Clueless is a colorful film filled with engaging characters; it isn't a masterpiece, but it far exceeded my expectations with its narrative. (BleuPanda)

Amy Heckerling combined the plot of Jane Austen's "Emma" with a satire on the shallow and materialist teenage culture of the nineties. Typical for this period are huge mobile phones, gigantic hats and tartan patterned clothes in flashing colours. The script is full of quotable dialogue, witty observations and teenhood expressions like "as if", "way harsh"and "buttcrazy". Cher (Alicia Silverstone) lives in a bubble with its own rules and hierarchy. Brittany Murphy plays the girl who has to transform to fit in. While other teen comedies are soon forgotten, this one sticks in the memory and remains fun to watch. (bonnielaurel)

My movie is not about Vietnam... my movie is Vietnam.

105. (105.) Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) Director: Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, Eleanor Coppola Country: USA Points: 572,75 Year rank: #8 of 1991 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #24. Votes: 9 Fans: bootsy #20, Gillingham #23 Haters: None Comment(s): Hearts of Darkness reveals a lot of interesting details about what happened during the making of Apocalypse Now, but it doesn't do much to hold my attention as a film itself. (BleuPanda)

I am not complete.

104. (97.) Edward Scissorhands (1990) Director: Tim Burton Country: USA Points: 575,66 Year rank: #7 of 1990 Rank in last round: 61 (Down 43) Votes: 20 Fans: notbrianeno #12, fredp #15, Maschine Man #20, Depeche Mode #20, Dolly Wilde #22, Miguel #29 Haters: bonnielaurel #118/122 Comment(s): Tim Burton can be a truly compelling director when he doesn't get overly caught up in his identity as that gothic director. Edward Scissorhands strikes the perfect balance between quirky and sincere. The contrast in art direction is immediately compelling, and its take on outsiders feels surprisingly poignant, even if the outsider in this case has scissors for fingers. (BleuPanda)

Unlike the Greek, England has no true mythology. All we have are witches and fairies.

103. (108.) Howards End (1992) Director: James Ivory Country: UK Points: 576,82 Year rank: #10 of 1992 Rank in last round: Not in the final. The results of the 1992 poll of last round could not be counted. Votes: 8 Fans: None Haters: None Comment(s): It's hard for me to feel any connection with this style of Period Piece on a narrative level, but Howards End is a very beautiful film otherwise. While not my cup of tea, I do respect its exploration of class divisions. (BleuPanda)

-

102. (99.) An Angel at My Table (1990) Director: Jane Campion Country: New Zeland, Australia, UK, USA Points: 578,83 Year rank: #10 of 1990 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #17. Votes: 11 Fans: Maschine Man #14 Haters: None Comment(s): An Angel at My Table is an expert look into the life of a very interesting woman. Separated into three segments, it explores how we approach people who are obviously different, and how concern can ultimately harm them. It's a tragic tale, but one brimming with hope. (BleuPanda)

Nothing like a machine to make a man feel insignificant.

101. (102.) Simple Men (1992) Director: Hal Hartley Country: USA / UK / Italy Points: 578,84 Year rank: #12 of 1992 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #11. Votes: 6 Fans: Greg #12 Haters: Midaso #115/123 Comment(s): Hal Hartley's film have an odd indie charm to them. Unfortunately, Simple Men lacks the charisma of the leads from Trust, but it's still an engaging experience. (BleuPanda)

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OK let's start! Some of the quotes could be Rated R for language. Sorry about that.

You don't know shit 'cause you've never been fucked in the ass!

100. (103.) JFK (1991) Director: Oliver Stone Country: USA, France Points: 578,94 Year rank: #7 of 1991 Rank in last round: 94 (Down 6) Votes: 16 Fans: Midaso #20, Miguel #26 Haters: None Comment(s): Oliver Stone's JFK is a fantastically crafted film, supporting a way of thinking that is altogether misplaced. I've had enough of ill-conceived conspiracy theories in this age, and now knowing the reason for the 'magic bullet' really dampens much of the impact. It still works as an examination of these beliefs, but it has issues in appearing to go along with the conspiracies. (BleuPanda)

No Atomo... I Superman!

99. (109.) The Iron Giant (1999) Director: Brad Bird Country: USA Points: 580,55 Year rank: #12 of 1999 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #25. Votes: 12 Fans: whuntva #3, BleuPanda #22 Haters: Rocky Raccoon #76/80, Maschine Man #61/65, Petri #136/143, Miguel #74/82 Comment(s): The Iron Giant goes a step beyond the average American animated film. Where a lot of Disney films hit easy notes for emotional resonance, the tale of The Iron Giant has many finer points. A key moral at the center of the film is how one can choose their own paths in life. It's on the surface, yet effective; the ending is one of only a handful of movie moments to make me cry. Throughout, The Iron Giant perfectly captures a small town during the Cold War, mixed with a lovingly straightforward sci-fi element. (BleuPanda)

An animated film so unlike any of its time. It was neither Disney nor Disney knockoff, but a unique sci-fi story with stunning visuals and deeper themes. A beautiful film I never tire of watching. (whuntva),

If I'm getting on your nerves, you might want to think about hiring me.

98. (100.) Smoke (1995) Director: Wayne Wang Country: USA / Germany / Japan)) Points: 582,36 Year rank: #15 of 1995 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #11. Votes: 10 Fans: Petri #23, Miguel #27 Haters: BleuPanda #146/150 Comment(s): In a decade full of interconnected stories, Smoke did absolutely nothing to set itself apart. (BleuPanda) I loved it a lot when I saw it (I was fifteen or even younger). I should rewatch it someday though. (Petri)

ROOM SERVICE, MOTHERFUCKERS!

97. (92.) King of New York (1990) Director: Abel Ferrara Country: USA, Italy, UK Points: 584,68 Year rank: #15 of 1990 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #21. Votes: 9 Fans: Depeche Mode #6, Greg #28 Haters: BleuPanda #148/150, Dexter #130/141 Comment(s): King of New York feels highly disjointed, and I'm not sure how Christopher Walken's character established himself among his main group. This film should explore racial dynamics more than it does, and it feels inauthentic due to this fact. (BleuPanda)

Overwhelming in pretty much every department, watched this last week and it blew my socks off. Been a while since I was so entranced by a film. Only my first Ferrara! (DepecheMode)

The ball is round, a game lasts 90 minutes, everything else is pure theory. Off we go!

96. (96.) Lola Rennt [Run Lola Run] (1998) Director: Tom Tykwer Country: Germany Points: 585,46 Year rank: #10 of 1998 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #11. Votes: 13 Fans: bonnielaurel #11 Maschine Man #12 Haters: Greg #114/121, Michel #118/131 Comment(s): Run Lola Run is perhaps the most accessible experimental films ever created. Much like Groundhog Day, Run Lola Run finds itself in a loop; where Groundhog Day focuses on the idea of being stuck in time, Run Lola Run instead focuses on how slight differences can lead to big changes. The plot of Run Lola Run repeats three times, though each run becomes an entirely different experience. Add in some stylish editing techniques and you get a film with a lot of flare, and it's short enough to never wear its welcome. (BleuPanda)

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The presentation looks good, Petri. Congratulations to BP for watching every film and writing all those comments. Those conspiracy theories around JFK can be intriguing, but I don't know what to believe of it.

In next group of five we have a movie that was #1 of two voters and a movie that dropped almost 70 spots from last round!!

My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

95. (82.) Forrest Gump (1994) Director: Robert Zemeckis Country: USA Points: 585,69 Year rank: #11 of 1994 Rank in last round: 57 (Down 38) Votes: 22 Fans: Krurze #1, Bruno #1, Rocky Raccoon #9, Dolly Wilde #15 Haters: Depeche Mode #69/69 , antonius #110/111, Maschine Man #64/65, bootsy #61/67 Comment(s): Forrest Gump is a highly manipulative film, but one I begrudgingly respect. Thought I can't stand its leading narrative, the way it creates a sense of time is phenomenal. Everything about its presentation is spot on. If it could have had a better protagonist, it would be a true cinematic classic. (BleuPanda)

All fluff with no substance. This was one to miss. (whuntva)

I’m not being entirely fair here as I haven’t even seen it in full, but hate the idea and what I remember is an ultimate example of childish philosophy in film. On the other hand, what I have seen inspired me too look harder for film than IMDB and the like sites, so… Run Forrest Run!? (DepecheMode)

Show me how you suck a guy's cock.

94. (98.) Bad Lieutenant (1992) Director: Abel Ferrara Country: USA Points: 588,70 Year rank: #15 of 1992 Rank in last round: 54 (Down 40) Votes: 8 Fans: Michel #6 Haters: Petri #130/143 Comment(s): Where a few films on this list try to push sexual boundaries, Bad Lieutenant is a rare one to succeed. It's explicit, but its observations feel grounded in true feelings. Harvey Keitel excels in his role, but the film doesn't do much in the cinematic realm. I feel a lot of my lower ranked films in this do little more than contain a single powerful or at least memorable performance; though great for those actors, all it really does is make me wish they were working with a more ambitious director. (BleuPanda)

93. (94.) When We Were Kings (1996) Director: Leon Gast Country: USA Points: 590,78 Year rank: #9 of 1996 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #22. Votes: 6 Fans: bootsy #22 Haters: None Comment(s): When We Were Kings is one of those documentaries that is great in many ways its director couldn't have possibly intended when he set out. Shot during the historic boxing match it captures, its delay in release allowed it to imbue its contemporary footage with modern interpretations, giving a full view of what the Rumble in the Jungle truly represented. It is equally compelling in how the two boxers were cast in the region, how image is formed in the popular consciousness. (BleuPanda)

You're on their side, aren't you? So, who will you bet with?

92. (95.) Funny Games (1997) Director: Michael Haneke Country: Austria Points: 592,27 Year rank: #11 of 1997 Rank in last round: 23 (Down 69!!) Votes: 11 Fans: Miguel #10, Michel #14 Haters: Greg #120/121, Dexter #140/141, Bruno #69/70, Rob #106/109 Comment(s): Funny Games is an experiment in cinematic cruelty, both within its narrative and to the audience. It's simply a tale of two sociopaths torturing and killing a family, and the film judges us throughout for watching. Haneke consistently breaks the fourth wall, not for the usual effect of comedy but to suggest we're on the villains' side by even engaging with the film. Extended shots are torturous, as is the infamous sequence where the main villain refuses to accept the initial outcome of a sequence. In that moment, Haneke tells us we are only here to watch a family suffer; and what is the point in that? (BleuPanda),

It's not like there's a line between the good people and the bad people. It is not like you're one or the other.

91. (90.) Lone Star (1996) Director: John Sayles Country: USA Points: 595,23 Year rank: #5 of 1996 Rank in last round: 70 (Down 21) Votes: 10 Fans: Greg #22 Haters: NoneComment(s): I kept waiting for this movie to go bigger than it did; I feel like this is likely a victim of the setting I watched it in, but I didn't get much out of it on a technical or stylistic level. (BleuPanda)

France isn't - you know - perfect, or anything, but - it's just - oh, slightly less evil than the United States.

90. (91.) Crumb (1994) Director: Terry Zwigoff Country: USA Points: 597,98 Year rank: #9 of 1994 Rank in last round: 77 (Down 13) Votes: 10 Fans: Greg #20 Haters: None Comment(s): Crumb left me feeling gross, which is a positive thing considering what it explores. Though focused on the artist Robert Crumb, it becomes a tale of disturbed individuals as we explore more of the world that surrounds him. The film Crumb gives a voice to vile world views, but it stays grounded by distance. (BleuPanda)

Ben, you're boring me. I have a husband. I don't have a need for another one.

89. (93.) The Ice Storm (1997) Director: Ang Lee Country: USA, France Points: 598,41 Year rank: #8 of 1997 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #12. Votes: 13 Fans: Midaso #7 Haters: Depeche Mode #68/69 Comment(s): Ang Lee's best works are expertly understated. The Ice Storm doesn't have as much as a hook as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon or Brokeback Mountain, but its exploration of human sexual relationships is both poignant and detailed. It explores everything in its reach, from affairs to children discovering their own sexuality. It creates a rare sense of dread in a rather mundane setting as it intimately details betrayals. (BleuPanda)

I was watching a soap opera with my mum and made fun of her for watching it, then I put this on and couldn’t see the difference. (DepecheMode)

How you fall doesn't matter. It's how you land!

88. (89.) La haine [Hate] (1995) Director: Mathieu Kassovitz Country: France Points: 601,26 Year rank: #12 of 1995 Rank in last round: 37 (Down 51) Votes: 11 Fans: whuntva #28, Petri #28 Haters: Greg #110/121 Comment(s): La haine is pretty straightforward about what it's about; this is a tale of disillusioned young men struggling their way through life, and the hatred they harbor for a variety of reasons. The film perfectly captures their rage, cascading through moments of heightening intensity. (BleuPanda)

You want to refuse all that? You want to give it all up? You want to give up the taste of cherries?

87. (88.) طعم گيلاس [Taste of Cherry] (1997) Director: Abbas Kiarostami Country: Iran Points: 603,17 Year rank: #15 of 1997 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #26. Votes: 9 Fans: fredp #19, Petri #30 Haters: Gillingham #106/112 Comment(s): A Taste of Cherry is a discomforting study in morality, following a man as he searches for someone to bury him after his suicide. Little reason is given, and much of the focus is shifted to those he offers his proposal. Kiarostami refuses to provide answers, as the question at the heart of the story has no objective response. (BleuPanda)

Look in your heart! Look in your heart!

86. (85.) Miller's Crossing (1990) Director: Joel & Ethan Coen Country: USA Points: 606,01 Year rank: #2 of 1990 Rank in last round: 32 (Down 54) Votes: 16 Fans: stone37 #3, Gillingham #28 Haters: None Comment(s): Miller's Crossing is among the Coen Brothers' darkest films; it makes up for its lack in satire by ramping up the calamity. The narrative is a bit dense throughout, but the tension and twists are truly engaging, even while difficult to navigate the exact purpose of everything. (BleuPanda)

85. (86.) ソナチネ [Sonatine] (1993) Director: Takeshi Kitano Country: Japan Points: 606,17 Year rank: #12 of 1993 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #13. Votes: 7 Fans: fredp #25 Haters: None Comment(s): Kitano's films are like violent visual poetry. Sonatine borders on the absurd in how it betrays our expectations; setting itself up as a crime film, the film spends most of its time with its characters in hiding. At times it appears to forget itself, almost becoming a vacation film until the next inevitable moment of violence falls into place. Kitano operates on a different level from most action directors, to the point his films are hardly recognizable by standard genre conventions. (BleuPanda)

84. (83.) Kika (1993) Director: Pedro Almodóvar Country: Spain Points: 606,48 Year rank: #8 of 1993 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank - (Not a single vote!). Votes: 9 Fans: bonnielaurel #5, fredp #9 Haters: Dexter #141/141, Midaso #121/123, BleuPanda #142/150 Comment(s): Kika comes off as a satire of soap operas, but it's too ridiculous to take seriously even as a criticism. Luckily, it was at least pretty enough to keep my attention. (BleuPanda)Trademarks of Pedro Almodóvar's early period are bright colors, extravagant clothes, perverted sexuality and a lot of make-up. Kika (Verónica Forqué) puts make-up on everyone, even on a corpse, to make reality seem brighter. Her counterpart Andrea Caracortada (Victoria Abril), who represents the sensationalist journalism of the nineties, wants to show the ugliest face of reality. There's an eccentric supporting role for Rossy de Palma, the character actress with the big nose. One of Peter Coyote's girlfriends is played by the transsexual Bibiana Fernández. The structure isn't as chaotic as it may seem. (bonnielaurel)

Turns out that lonely people are all the same.

83. (80.) 春光乍洩 [Happy Together] (1997) Director: Wong Kar-wai Country: Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea Points: 607,64 Year rank: #13 of 1997 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #36. Votes: 10 Fans: fredp #8, Rob #26 Haters: Petri #135/143 Comment(s): Contrary to its title, Happy Together is actually a phenomenal take on finding happiness within oneself. It is much easier to follow than many of Wong Kar-Wai's other works. There's a brutal honestly to how it approaches relationships, but in a way that doesn't suggest giving up. (BleuPanda)

Same person. No difference at all... just a different sex.

82. (77.) Orlando (1992) Director: Sally Potter Country: UK Points: 608,16 Year rank: #8 of 1992 Rank in last round: Not in the final. The results of the 1992 poll of last round could not be counted. Votes: 9 Fans: Maschine Man #2 Haters: Midaso #120/123 Comment(s): Tilda Swinton is perhaps the most androgynous of today's major stars, and this is put to full effect in Sally Potter's Orlando. Based on the story by Virginia Woolf, Orlando imagines a man who lives for hundreds of years who one day wakes up as a woman and decides to just go with it. It is an expert exploration of gender, and Swinton gives a phenomenal performance. Set over a few hundred years, Orlando finds itself in a wide array of settings, and it makes feel use of each setting. (BleuPanda)Not for me. (whuntva),

Open your eyes.

81. (79.) Abre los ojos [Open Your Eyes] (1997) Director: Alejandro Amenábar Country: Spain, France, Italy Points: 609,21 Year rank: #14 of 1997 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #16. Votes: 8 Fans: Gillingham #8, Miguel #18 Haters: Dexter #133/141 Comment(s): Amenabar is a director I generally don't take much interest in, but the narrative of Open Your Eyes is incredibly compelling. It feels like a precursor to Christopher Nolan; everytime it lets you finally follow along, it reveals something new to twist the experience. (BleuPanda)

I will continue the countdown tomorrow. In this group of five we have a #1 movie of a voter.

In the words of the ancients, one should make his decision within the space of seven breaths.

80. (84.) Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) Director: Jim Jarmusch Country: USA, France, Germany, Japan Points: 609,33 Year rank: #9 of 1999 Rank in last round: 41 (Down 39) Votes: 12 Fans: Greg #11, Dolly Wilde #20, Petri #24, fredp #26 Haters: Dexter #131/141 Comment(s): Jim Jarmusch's genre films are truly something else. Ghost Dog is more meditative than a standard crime film, and it finds a striking balance between a multitude of cultures. Though I find its narrative to slog at times, it wins me over with how it manages its themes. (BleuPanda)

A war is no war until the brother kills his brother.

79. (87.) Underground (1995) Director: Emir Kusturica Country: Yugoslavia Points: 610,59 Year rank: #10 of 1995 Rank in last round: 79 (No change) Votes: 9 Fans: Petri #27, Greg #27 Haters: None Comment(s): Underground is a rather cynical comedy and a deeply angry commentary on the disintegration of Yugoslavian culture. Yet, through its best moments, Underground hits a note that can resonate with anyone. The absurdity of a man keeping his neighbors in his bunker a few decades longer than the war he's protecting them from is a fine concept, and Kusturica expertly confronts how the residents of the bunker react when returned to the outside world. (BleuPanda)

He's no monster, Gaston... *YOU* are!

78. (78.) Beauty and the Beast (1991) Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise Country: USA Points: 610,64 Year rank: #12 of 1991 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #15. Votes: 17 Fans: Dexter #15, notbrianeno #16, whuntva #19 , Dolly Wilde #21, Maschine Man #23, Bruno #28 Haters: None Comment(s): Definitely not Disney's best, but the one animated film that managed a Best Picture nomination before they expanded the category. It has some of their most iconic visual design and a great soundtrack, but something about the actual animation at times bothers me. (BleuPanda)The best Disney film made after Walt's death. Gives a traditionalist approach remeniscent of the classics, but at the same time injects the flair or Broadway in its soundtrack and the unique art style that made the Disney Renaissance so distinctive. (whuntva),

I mean, have you ever actually seen your brain?

77. (75.) 攻殻機動隊 [Ghost in the Shell] (1995) Director: Mamoru Oshii Country: Japan Points: 616,71 Year rank: #11 of 1995 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #13. Votes: 10 Fans: antonius #10, notbrianeno #10, Gillingham #16 Haters: Petri #141/143, whuntva #77/83 Comment(s): Though there isn't much to the plot, Ghost in the Shell brings out the best in both animation and action. I just wish more non-Miyazaki anime got attention; I would place Perfect Blue, Whisper of the Heart, Only Yesterday, and The End of Evangelion about the same level as this. (BleuPanda)Too "weird" for its own good. Just didn't interest me. I prefer the sequel and Stand Alone/Complex series. (whuntva),

-

76. (76.) Close-Up (1990) Director: Abbas Kiarostami Country: Iran Points: 617,91 Year rank: #14 of 1990 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #25. Votes: 9 Fans: fredp #1, Petri #20 Haters: Dexter #139/141 Comment(s): Close-Up is a rare film that pushes the line between art and reality. It is a documentary about a man who pretended to be a film director and the family he conned. However, Kiarostami got the actual people involved in the crime to do the reenactments. Though they are only reenactments, it is as close to reality as could be created after the fact. It is an unforgettable exploration of desire and identity. (BleuPanda)People complain about films telling and not showing, like Marvel movies for instance. Is there a better example of that then this film? I even tried it two times and it’s just endless exposition of a story that is a bit sad but ultimately leaves me indifferent. (DepecheMode)

75. (73.) The Truman Show (1998) Director: Peter Weir Country: USA Points: 619,01 Year rank: #6 of 1998 Rank in last round: 56 (Down 19) Votes: 20 Fans: Rob #5, Krurze #6 , Rocky Raccoon #19, Dolly Wilde #25, stone37 #26 Haters: None Comment(s): The Truman Show is one of those films that immediately sells itself with its concept and fully realizes its potential. Telling the story of a man who is unaware he lives on an otherwise fabricated reality show, The Truman Show explores everything from the cruelty of fate to the morality of media. The film really drags us into Truman's situation; watching him add the little pieces together to realize the falseness of his world is enthralling. Jim Carrey is especially effective here, and the final sequence is one of the best endings of the 90s. (BleuPanda)

That weapon will replace your tongue. You will learn to speak through it. And your poetry will now be written with blood.

74. (81.) Dead Man (1995) Director: Jim Jarmusch Country: USA , Germany, Japan Points: 621,79 Year rank: #8 of 1995 Rank in last round: 58 (Down 16) Votes: 15 Fans: Michel #7, Greg #7, fredp #27 Haters: stone37 #82/82, Miguel #79/82, Bruno #64/70Comment(s): Dead Man, like all Jarmusch films, is a bit hard to take in. Though I'm not sure what all it adds up to, I'm also done with the idea of Jarmusch's films needing to have a singular purpose. This is simply the tale of a man in the Wild West, and the strange encounters that form his journey. (BleuPanda)

Back home, they would have put me in jail for what I'm doing. Here, they're giving me awards.

73. (74.) Casino (1995) Director: Martin Scorsese Country: USA Points: 622,58 Year rank: #7 of 1995 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #12. Votes: 18 Fans: Bruno #5, Midaso #18, Depeche Mode #19, stone37 #23 Haters: antonius #102/111 Comment(s): I always struggle to describe the best Scorsese films, as they're all good in much the same way. He creates massive, excessive epics that detail the seedier side of the world. His direction is always top of the line, and it all depends on which story he applies it to. (BleuPanda)I remember loving this sweeping film both times I watched it yet it doesn’t get stuck in my head at all unfortunately. (DepecheMode)

What's the number for 911?

72. (72.) The Straight Story (1999) Director: David Lynch Country: USA Points: 627,38 Year rank: #7 of 1999 Rank in last round: 62 (Down 10) Votes: 14 Fans: whuntva #10, antonius #13, Greg #23, Depeche Mode #27 Haters: None Comment(s): Somehow, The Straight Story stands out as David Lynch's most bizarre creation, simply by being so extraordinarily mundane. Lacking his usual surrealism, The Straight Story is an honest examination of a man's odd journey. At the same time, such a subject fits perfectly within Lynch's canon of strange people. (BleuPanda)Lynch's best film. His ideas and style are given to a simple story. Every moment shines in this intimate, touching story. (whuntva), I’m not too much a fan of Lynch’s narrative convolution and I really don’t think his style is that overwhelming or unique. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his ‘Straight Story’ is one of my favorite films by him. (DepecheMode)

You never forget kids like Emily, or Andy, but they forget you.

71. (69.) Toy Story 2 (1999) Director: John Lasseter/Ash Brannon/Lee Unkrich Country: USA Points: 631,07 Year rank: #13 of 1999 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #20. Votes: 16 Fans: Bruno #7, Maschine Man #9, bootsy #13, Rob #23, whuntva #25, Dexter #30 Haters: Gillingham #108/112, Dolly Wilde #53/57 Comment(s): The 90s Toy Story films never clicked with me as much as the Pixar films that followed, but they're still expertly crafted works with surprisingly compelling narratives. Toy Story 2 feels a bit less focused than it should, but it introduces a memorable cast of characters and has the first of many Pixar moments to bring people to tears. (BleuPanda)Another clever film with several great background references to tie it together. (whuntva),

Last edited by Petri on Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

70. (70.) Tierra (1996) Director: Julio Medem Country: Spain Points: 632,94 Year rank: #12 of 1996 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #17. Votes: 5 Fans: Gillingham #3, bonnielaurel #19 Haters: None Comment(s): Julio Medem's style is strange, and I'm not sure if I'll like this as much a second time around. I liked the otherworldly sense of Tierra, how the protagonist kind of just accepts it. It reminds me a lot of Bunuel, but I still need to get a better sense of whether it does enough to expand on Bunuel's ideas. (BleuPanda)

69. (71.) La belle noiseuse [The Beautiful Troublemaker] (1991) Director: Jacques Rivette Country: France Points: 636,48 Year rank: #11 of 1991 Rank in last round: 39 (Down 30) Votes: 7 Fans: Greg #5 Haters: whuntva #75/83 Comment(s): La belle noiseuse is a test of patience; four hours, much of which is dedicated to watching an artist draw. It is certainly a unique approach to cinema, observing the creation of another art, but I'm also fine if nothing decides to take it as an influence. (BleuPanda)

Any fool with a dick can make a baby, but only a real man can raise his children.

68. (68.) Boyz n the Hood (1991) Director: John Singleton Country: USA Points: 639,64 Year rank: #6 of 1991 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #15. Votes: 12 Fans: Rocky Raccoon #12, bonnielaurel #18, stone37 #19, Dexter #24, bootsy #28 Haters: antonius #108/111 Comment(s): Boyz n the Hood is a tragic tale of being trapped where you begin. It is a powerful take on the black experience in America, but another example of a film that I feel doesn't put as much effort into its cinematic elements as it does in its narrative. (BleuPanda)

67. (63.) La promesse [The Promise] (1996) Director: Luc Dardenne / Jean-Pierre Dardenne Country: Belgium Points: 648,89 Year rank: #6 of 1996 Rank in last round: 52 (Down 15) Votes: 9 Fans: antonius #6, fredp #7 Haters: Dexter #127/141 Comment(s): The Dardenne Brothers are perhaps the finest neorealist directors of the modern era. La promesse is a brutal look at what people do for money, but it doesn't feel as intimate as the later Rosetta and The Son. The Dardenne Brothers work better with lower stakes. (BleuPanda)

Thank you - thank you for everything.

66. (67.) Hana-bi [Fireworks] (1997) Director: Takeshi Kitano Country: Japan Points: 651,25 Year rank: #7 of 1997 Rank in last round: Erroneously not in the final. Year rank #8. Votes: 12 Fans: Greg #1 Haters: None Comment(s): Fireworks is one of the oddest action films out there, to the point it doesn't actually feel like an action film. Many scenes are presented as if floating in the narrative by themselves. It creates this minimalist effect; the pieces are all here, but nothing settles how you would expect. It is presented as if from a distance, images cast into the world as if they simply belonged there. Kitano's acting style perfectly matches, his consistently straight expression no matter the situation. There's a density to this film that demands deep thought, though never enough to grasp a sense of a higher meaning. In its way, Fireworks is a beautiful anomaly. (BleuPanda)

65. (66.) La double vie de Véronique [The Double Life of Veronique] (1991) Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski Country: France, Poland, Norway Points: 651,71 Year rank: #4 of 1991 Rank in last round: 60 (Down 5) Votes: 11 Fans: bonnielaurel #10, antonius #23, Michel #27, Rob #27 Haters: fredp #81/85 Comment(s): The Double Life of Veronique deals with an eerie sense of connectedness; could we exist at different places as different people at the same time, and when one life is out of balance, what happens to the other? Though the two characters never truly meet, the events of one resonates with the other. It is directed in a straightforward style, which allows its existential question to expand as it carries on. (BleuPanda)

Fame has a fifteen minute half-life, infamy lasts a little longer.

64. (62.) The Insider (1999) Director: Michael Mann Country: USA Points: 653,21 Year rank: #11 of 1999 Rank in last round: 44 (Down 20) Votes: 14 Fans: Midaso #9, Gillingham #10 , stone37 #14, Depeche Mode #25, antonius #28 Haters: None Comment(s): A bit slower than it needed to be, The Insider is a well-crafted film that explores the horrors of how hard it is for the truth to be spoken in the modern world; feels very relevant in this time. (BleuPanda)Very good film with intriguing plot and great performance by Russell Crowe. Weighted down by underdeveloped marriage subplot. (DepecheMode)

But sweetheart, I can't be your mother!

63. (64.) Secrets & Lies (1996) Director: Mike Leigh Country: UK / France Points: 654,98 Year rank: #4 of 1996 Rank in last round: 34 (Down 29) Votes: 15 Fans: bonnielaurel #13, Gillingham #13, Dolly Wilde #19 Haters: stone37 #81/82 Comment(s): On a technical level, I found this film to be just as masterful as Naked; thankfully, the subjects this time aren't completely insufferable. A touching tale of family, Secrets & Lies perfectly tackles the subject of race. The slow acceptance of Hortense into her biological family doesn't shy away from the hitches, and each member of the family has their own secret ready to bubble over. Yet there's a lot of heart here, and the actors play off each other well. (BleuPanda)

What the fuck happened to you, man? Shit, your ass used to be beautiful!

61. (59.) Ed Wood (1994) Director: Tim Burton Country: USA Points: 658,16 Year rank: #5 of 1994 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #18. Votes: 17 Fans: whuntva #5, Rob #9, notbrianeno #15, Dexter #28, fredp #29 Haters: Gillingham #110/112, bonnielaurel #111/122 Comment(s): For every good film, there are a dozen bad films; Ed Wood managed to create films that go beyond just bad. His films missed the most basic elements of storytelling and cinema, ultimately creating a perfect example of the auteur theory; it is immediately obvious when he has touched a film. Tim Burton's observation of Ed Wood's life reveals an intimate portrait of the man behind the madness, showcasing how he was just as bizarre behind the camera. It shows a lot of heart in its treatment of what could have been an easy target. (BleuPanda)

It seems like I really disagree with BleuPanda based on his comments lol. The King of New York one in particular, it seems like such a small thing to get hung up upon, but to each his own. I watched Bad Lieutenant now too and it had a nice ending but overall nowhere close to King of New York level. Also, Jackie Brown is easily my favorite Tarantino film and I'm sad to see it fall down.

...why wouldn't a drama need to be technically masterful? And why do you think Secrets and Lies isn't? I loved the sense of framing and general cinematography throughout. It's obviously a film dedicated to performance, but it does an excellent job in capturing the image and I'd like to know why you think it doesn't.

And I don't think finding the protagonist of a film hard to believe is a minor complaint; that pretty much shoots down any narrative investment I'm going to have; and a lot of my comments are the one big thing that stuck out to me, there's plenty of other things I could complain about (the whole film lacked subtlety, the editing felt amateurish, and the narrative as a whole fell flat for me).

If I could begin to be, half of what you think of me,I could do about anything, I could even learn how to love.

While we're airing grievances, I'd like to call out Scorsese for creating the mess that was Casino. Other than a dazzling pre-credits and credits sequence, it felt like a facsimile of a Scorsese film without any of the things that made Goodfellas great. And don't even get me started on Joe Pesci's narration...

notbrianeno wrote:While we're airing grievances, I'd like to call out Scorsese for creating the garbage that was Casino. Other than a dazzling pre-credits and credits sequence, it felt like a facsimile of a Scorsese film without any of the things that made Goodfellas great. And don't even get me started on Joe Pesci's narration...

I'm still waiting for the day when it's almost universally agreed that The Age of Innocence was the second best Martin Scorsese film of the '90s.

Great to see some discussion here. I'm actually one of few who (almost) loved Death Proof and prefer it to movies made after that (despite their many good moments they have felt overlong and slack in general).

Kati Outinen has the perfect face to play a character with anhedonism - the unability to enjoy. She lives in a mechanistic world void of emotion, an extension of the factory where she works. The TV images of the historical events on Tiananmen Square seem to leave her indifferent. She doesn't know how to stand up against her misgynist environment. Aki Kaurismäki's static camera use enforces the sense of lethargy. The original Finnish title is a true tongue-twister. (bonnielaurel)

My dreams sent me. People in dreams, ought to call them when you wake. Make life simpler. "Hello, dreamed of you. Love woke me".

58. (56.) Les amants du Pont-Neuf [The Lovers on the Bridge] (1991) Director: Leos Carax Country: France Points: 663,09 Year rank: #10 of 1991 Rank in last round: 76 (Up 18) Votes: 9 Fans: Dolly Wilde #2, Petri #16, BleuPanda #21 Haters: None Comment(s): The Lovers on the Bridge is a tale of both desperation and love, and how those two seemingly disparate ideas can interact to both strengthen and corrupt the other. Carax has a strong visual sense, and a scene where the two lovers are on the bridge as fireworks land at their feet is simply stunning. Beauty is found within their vagrant lives, but the desperation to keep that one positive connection is just as likely to lead to harm. (BleuPanda)

They say, that inside the arctic circle, on summer nights the sun does not set. They call it the midnight sun.

57. (53.) Los amantes del círculo polar [The Lovers of the Arctic Circle] (1998) Director: Julio Médem Country: Spain / France Points: 666,47 Year rank: #11 of 1998 Rank in last round: 67 (Up 10) Votes: 6 Fans: bonnielaurel #3, Miguel #8, Gillingham #24 Haters: None Comment(s): I feel like this is an idea that could have been revolutionary in other hands, but The Lovers of the Arctic Circle at least deserves credit for what it does manage. The narrative is a gigantic palindrome, but for such an idea, a quicker pace could have worked wonders. In the end, I still don't know how to feel about either of Medem's films; he takes cool ideas and has a keen visual sense, but something about the final products don't click as much as they should. (BleuPanda)

The names of the characters, Otto and Ana, are palindromes. The circle, beginning and ending at the same point, is a motif. Otto makes a long journey in search of his childhood friend. Julio Médem uses light and color to create a contrast between the city and the Arctic Circle. The subjective point of view shows what goes on inside the head of a character. It isn't hard to believe that three actors of a different age represent the same character. (bonnielaurel)

Dick Laurent is dead...

56. (61.) Lost Highway (1997) Director: David Lynch Country: USA, France Points: 668,48 Year rank: #5 of 1997 Rank in last round: 68 (Up 12) Votes: 15 Fans: Gillingham #14, Greg #15, antonius #17, Petri #18 Haters: Rob #81/82, Dexter #134/141 Comment(s): Though an excellent work, Lost Highway feels a bit too much like a prototype of what Mulholland Drive would become post-pilot. Still, it contains one of Lynch's most dangerously oppressive atmospheres, and its dizzying sense of reality makes it an unforgettable experience. (BleuPanda)

54. (54.) Kauas pilvet karkaavat [Drifting Clouds] (1996) Director: Aki Kaurismäki Country: Finland Points: 670,11 Year rank: #10 of 1996 Rank in last round: 45 (Down 9) Votes: 7 Fans: Petri #6, fredp #10, bonnielaurel #14 Haters: None Comment(s): I feel like I need to explore Kaurismaki more to understand his appeal; it took me three films before the Dardenne Brothers finally clicked with me, and I feel there is something in here that hasn't yet clicked. This film just kind of went through me. (BleuPanda)

To deny our own impulses is to deny the very thing that makes us human.

53. (52.) The Matrix (1999) Director: Wachowski siblings Country: USA Points: 670,45 Year rank: #4 of 1999 Rank in last round: 22 (Down 31) Votes: 21 Fans: bootsy #4, stone37 #8, Gillingham #15, Dexter #17, notbrianeno #19, Maschine Man #24, Bruno #30 Haters: Greg #117/121, bonnielaurel #114/122 Comment(s): As ultimately shallow as its narrative can be, The Matrix is still one of the most inventive action movies. It's rare when a film has this many classic scenes; though its pseudophilosophy can be a hindrance, The Matrix is fully aware of what its narrative can allow to happen on-screen. A ridiculous narrative is perfectly acceptable when it adds up to something this visually pleasing. (BleuPanda)

I came around on Inception but not on this one, the issue for me is this film is so stridently trying to be meaningfull but the ‘philosophy’ here doesn’t escape quotation marks for me. Inception by contrast is all about plot on surface and lets you find meaning between all the goings on. (DepecheMode)

Can we talk about something other than Hollywood for a change? We're educated people.

52. (55.) The Player (1992) Director: Robert Altman Country: USA Points: 672,89 Year rank: #3 of 1992 Rank in last round: 84 (Up 32) Votes: 15 Fans: Rocky Raccoon #4, Midaso #15, Michel #19, antonius #26, Petri #29 Haters: stone37 #80/82, Miguel #76/82 Comment(s): The Player manages to explore many unexpected areas for a comedy, but it doesn't quite have the usual Altman touch. It feels odd, but I guess I'm complaing about a film being too focused. Everything comes too easily here, but it's still a fun film. (BleuPanda)

I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger.

51. (45.) The Lion King (1994) Director: Roger Allers/Rob Minkoff Country: USA Points: 675,67 Year rank: #12 of 1994 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #22. Votes: 17 Fans: Rob #4, Maschine Man #5, notbrianeno #11 Dolly Wilde #17, Bruno #20, whuntva #29 Haters: antonius #104/111 Comment(s): It's hard for me to deny the impact of this one; one of the first VHS tapes I owned (being born in 1992), this played on a nearly endless loop as a child. Created by Disney's intended B-team of the time (with their 'better' team being sent off to make the horrendous Pocahontas), The Lion King feels like an accidental work in the Disney canon. It's a musical where the songs stop halfway through; the protagonist spends much of the movie arguing against heroism. By being free of the expectations of being the next big Disney film, Allers and Minkoff managed to create one of the most unique works the studio ever released. Elton John provides an excellent soundtrack, from the grandiose "Circle of Life" that begins the film, to the ultimate villain song in "Be Prepared," to the earwormy "Hakuna Matata." Thanks to its setting, it is also one of Disney's most vibrant works, with a cast that's more complex than their usual fare. Easily the best Disney film since Fantasia. (BleuPanda)

This is high on my list, but that is because this is the film of my youth. I have seen this more than any other film and can't really judge it on its own. Not that I particularly want to. (Rob)

Last edited by Petri on Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

We have top 50 and bottom 50 left. You can guess which ones are in either half in guessing thread. So please don't guess here. And if you want avoid any potential spoilers please stay away of that thread.

Petri wrote:Great to see some discussion here. I'm actually one of few who (almost) loved Death Proof and prefer it to movies made after that (despite their many good moments they have felt overlong and slack in general).

Wow this is interesting, Hateful Eight, Basterds, and Django as his worst films? I could see a case for Hateful Eight but nothing is worse than Death Proof. I honestly don't hate any of his films but there are clearly films that I love a lot better than the others.

50. (51.) The Remains of the Day (1993) Director: James Ivory Country: UK / USA Points: 679,22 Year rank: #11 of 1993 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #17. Votes: 12 Fans: bonnielaurel #2, Rocky Raccoon #16, Miguel #16 , antonius #18 Haters: Petri #134/143 Comment(s): I'm usually not one for period pieces, but The Remains of the Day perfectly questions a unique ideology; is a loyal servant morally obligated to silently accept his Lord's views, even though he realizes the harm it can create? The way this story questions its protagonist is expertly crafted, whether through specific events he ignores in favor of his Lord, or through conversation between him and a love interest that is doomed to never take off due to his unquestioning loyalty. Anthony Hopkins is phenomenal here. (BleuPanda)

Anthony Hopkins plays a character who has reached the highest post attainable for someone born in the British working class: the position of butler in a large household. He's trained to hide his feelings, although sometimes a glimpse of emotion shimmers through. The story, told in flash-backs, shows his confrontation with conservative and progressive ideas - the latter represented by Emma Thompson and other supporting actors. Everything is shot on location in English country houses surrounded by beautiful nature, including a sunset and a thunderstorm. A dove was an uninvited guest conveniently used in the final scene. (bonnielaurel)

Gang bang! Gang bang!

49. (48.) Idioterne (1998) Director: Lars von Trier Country: Denmark Points: 679,96 Year rank: #9 of 1998 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #13. Votes: 9 Fans: Michel #1, fredp #2 Haters: Midaso #122/123, Dexter #138/141 Comment(s): I love everything this movie stands for on a stylistic and technical level and hate it for what it chooses to do with that ideology. Idioterne exists somewhere in that gross realm of begrudging classics; von Trier is truly a master director, but what he decides to do with his rare talent is at times lamentable. Dogme 95 could have been a great movement if Idioterne didn't immediately draw the attention of sophomoric Nihilists; von Trier himself is at least of a high enough quality to make it work. (BleuPanda)

I'm just a total milk-o-holic.

48. (50.) Safe (1995) Director: Todd Haynes Country: USA Points: 681,71 Year rank: #9 of 1995 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #50. Votes: 8 Fans: Midaso #4, fredp #20, Depeche Mode #26, BleuPanda #27 Haters: None Comment(s): Todd Haynes is a magnificent director, and he creates a subtly distressing horror film in this domestic drama. A woman becomes sick for reasons unclear, but it must have something to do with the environment. Julianne Moore is perfect as a housewife slowly losing herself; is she truly sick, or is it all in her mind? How far will she go to find a cure to a disease that might not exist? It is a painful tragedy, with a deeply flowing undercurrent commenting on our world at large. (BleuPanda)

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47. (46.) 菊豆 [Ju Dou] (1990) Director: Zhang Yimou Country: China, Japan Points: 682,30 Year rank: #4 of 1990 Rank in last round: 31 (Down 16) Votes: 8 Fans: antonius #8, Maschine Man #8, Greg #26 Haters: None Comment(s): The use of colors in this film is absolutely mesmerizing. Like Raise the Red Lantern, Ju Dou is a study of a relationship that contain no love. In this narrative, the marriage is purely for the creation of an heir; a haunting ideology when the violent man at the center of it is impotent. Love can only be found on the outside, and true romance must remain hidden until it leads to calamity. (BleuPanda)

That's why when somebody say, "when you get to the NBA, don't forget about me", and that stuff. Well, I should've said to them, "if I don't make it, don't you forget about me."

46. (47.) Hoop Dreams (1994) Director: Steve James Country: USA Points: 683,06 Year rank: #8 of 1994 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #12. Votes: 10 Fans: Midaso #6, whuntva #14, bootsy #19, Dexter #25, Rocky Raccoon #30, Greg #30 Haters: None Comment(s): One of two major sports documentaries of the era that kind of happened by accident; what started as a focus on two young basketball players evolved into an epic as their chances at success actually expanded; it started at just the right time to capture the full force of their experience. Yet, behind it all, the most striking elements of the narrative exist within the everyday lives of the people that surround the boys; this is a tale of poverty and unfairness. (BleuPanda)

Prepare for a surprise at #43. Would have expected to see it a bit higher. (maybe #42and #41 too). And we have our first #1 of its year too.

I hate L.A. All they do is snort coke and talk.

45. (49.) Short Cuts (1993) Director: Robert Altman Country: USA Points: 691,03 Year rank: #5 of 1993 Rank in last round: 17 (Down 28) Votes: 11 Fans: Michel #15, Dexter #21, Rob #24, Greg #25 Haters: Miguel #75/82 Comment(s): While Robert Altman has done the dozens of characters concept before, what really sells Short Cuts is its use of Raymond Carver's short stories. Carver was one of America's finest writers, and Short Cuts expertly merges many of his stories into one cohesive tale. It's not as simple as telling separate tales; the minor characters from the shorts are made out to be the major characters of others. There is a deep sense of interconnection, all while each story stands on its own. There is a lot to get lost in here. (BleuPanda)

It didn't work out, so I took a souvenir... her pretty head.

44. (38.) Se7en (1995) Director: David Fincher Country: USA Points: 696,45 Year rank: #1 of 1995 Rank in last round: 27 (Down 17) Votes: 19 Fans: stone37 #5, bootsy #6, Bruno #18, Depeche Mode #21, whuntva #22, Rob #29 Haters: bonnielaurel #113/122 Comment(s): David Fincher's films always carry an air of cynicism that border on the overwhelming, but that works well for a film like Se7en. Serial killers are a popular cinematic subject, and one that kills based on the seven deadly sins is an instant sell. The individual crime scenes are as horrifying as they come, and the film creates dread over actions that have already occured, a rare occurence in the genre. Top it off with three actors at the top of their game and you get an unexpected classic. (BleuPanda)

I can honestly say I'm a changed man. I'm no longer a danger to society.

A film that made the most of what it had. Not much "happens", but you can feel the emotion in every frame. (whuntva)

To infinity, and beyond!

42. (32.) Toy Story (1995) Director: John Lasseter Country: USA Points: 703,74 Year rank: #3 of 1995 Rank in last round: 81 (Up 39) Votes: 17 Fans: Bruno #4, Maschine Man #4, bootsy #11, whuntva #15, Rob #18, Dexter #19, stone37 #29 Haters: None Comment(s): While a big deal for being the first CGI animated film, Toy Story has remained in our collective conscious by bringing Pixar into the picture. Toy Story delves deep into questions of identity and self-worth that would become a hallmark of their studio. Toy Story also knew how to handle its limitations; early CGI had a weird plastic look, so what's a better subject than toys? (BleuPanda)

A technical accomplishment with clever writing to boot. Still holds up because of how uniquely the premise is handled and how great the characters are. (whuntva)

Do you ever have déjà vu, Mrs. Lancaster?

41. (35.) Groundhog Day (1993) Director: Harold Ramis Country: USA Points: 706,49 Year rank: #3 of 1993 Rank in last round: 18 (Down 23) Votes: 19 Fans: Krurze #5, Miguel #7, Dolly Wilde #14, Rob #22, Michel #23, Midaso #23, antonius #24, Bruno #27, BleuPanda #30 Haters: None Comment(s): Groundhog Day tackles a tough concept and does it well by remaining in the realm of comedy. It's the type of narrative that instantly hooks, supported by a strong performance by Bill Murray. Its approach to a time loop becomes strangely relevatory, as Phil Connors is pushed from panic to despair to eventual acceptance of his situation. With an ingenious script, Groundhog Day does a lot more than anyone could reasonably expect. (BleuPanda)

Last edited by Petri on Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:49 am, edited 1 time in total.

If only I had been raped as a child! *Then* I would know authenticity!

40. (42.) Happiness (1998) Director: Todd Solondz Country: USA Points: 706,65 Year rank: #4 of 1998 Rank in last round: 40 (No change Votes: 13 Fans: Midaso #5 , fredp #6, BleuPanda #18, Michel #25 Haters: whuntva #82/83, bonnielaurel #110/122 Comment(s): Though presented in a similar manner as an everyday independent drama, Happiness is truly one of the most manipulative films ever conceived. Todd Solondz uses uplifting music one would expect to accompany a moment of passion as the backdrop of a pedophile's longing gaze. Every cinematic technique is used to manipulate the audience into sympathizing with truly retched people. We are made to feel their loneliness only to sit in horrified anticipation as they stumble upon their solution, be it sexually harassing strangers over the phone or having an affair with a student. Happiness makes humans out of monsters; it's a daring act to suggest to an audience that a pedophile is just as much of a person as they are, and Solondz manages to do so while simultaneously revealing the harm behind his acts. (BleuPanda)

Something's happening that's taking our children away.

39. (44.) The Sweet Hereafter (1997) Director: Atom Egoyan Country: Canada Points: 706,78 Year rank: #6 of 1997 Rank in last round: 74 (Up 35) Votes: 12 Fans: Greg #6, BleuPanda #20, stone37 #20, Petri #26, Dexter #27 Haters: None Comment(s): The Sweet Hereafter expertly manages the timing of revelations. Though this is a story full of big moments, Atom Egoyan pushes us to be numb to the surprise before actually showing major events. Where it could have been about a shocking tragedy in a small community, the framing allows the emotions of the aftermath to take center stage. The actual bus crash that guides the narrative is only revealed halfway through the film, long after many characters have discussed the details of the day; by that point, it is like a troubling memory. In many ways, this is a story about people caught in the past, and how they get caught in a loop of keeping themselves that way. Such a tragedy is seemingly impossible to move on from; even harder is to admit that it actually is possible to keep living after losing the ones you love. (BleuPanda)

How could anyone act so macho with a pair of tits like that?

38. (39.) Todo sobre mi madre [All About My Mother] (1999) Director: Pedro Almodóvar Country: Spain / France Points: 708,90 Year rank: #10 of 1999 Rank in last round: 20 (Down 18) Votes: 14 Fans: Dexter #13, fredp #16, Dolly Wilde #18, Greg #19, Rob #19, Gillingham #22, Miguel #23 Haters: Midaso #112/123 Comment(s): Almodovar's films seemingly rely on a lack of true sincerity; as serious as its subject matter is, much of the design feels as if he's winking at us. All About My Mother presents itself as a soap opera, but damn, it's the type of soap opera that I would actually consider watching. He approaches these characters with a certain bluntness, but through everything, he finds a deeply human character in people that are normally overlooked. (BleuPanda)

Now I have only one thing left to do: nothing.

37. (41.) Trois couleurs: Bleu [Three Colors: Blue] (1993) Director: Krzysztof Kieslowski Country: France Points: 709,02 Year rank: #1 of 1993 Rank in last round: 29 (Down 8) Votes: 14 Fans: antonius #11, whuntva #17, BleuPanda #19, Dolly Wilde #23, bonnielaurel #26 Haters: None Comment(s): The first part of the Three Colours trilogy is also its best, a revelatory look at a woman immediately after losing her husband and child in an accident. We start at her lowest point and find her slowly discovering herself as she learns more about who her husband really was. It is a beautiful take on self-realization, a film that promises the ability to move on even after tragedy. (BleuPanda)

Go back to Jersey, sonny. This is the City of the Angels, and you haven't got any wings.

BleuPanda wrote:...why wouldn't a drama need to be technically masterful? And why do you think Secrets and Lies isn't? I loved the sense of framing and general cinematography throughout. It's obviously a film dedicated to performance, but it does an excellent job in capturing the image and I'd like to know why you think it doesn't.

And I don't think finding the protagonist of a film hard to believe is a minor complaint; that pretty much shoots down any narrative investment I'm going to have; and a lot of my comments are the one big thing that stuck out to me, there's plenty of other things I could complain about (the whole film lacked subtlety, the editing felt amateurish, and the narrative as a whole fell flat for me).

Well I thought it was very pedestrian in the way it was shot, I remember a long take at the dinner and a lot of quickly cut scenes like in TV dramas otherwise, again it's not a big problem with this film for me I just didn't find the story very compelling and unfortunately can't remember it well enough to give some constructive criticism. I really liked the dynamic and confident editing in Naked when I rewatched it so maybe I'll agree with you if I give Secrets and Lies another chance.

Fair enough about King of New York, anyway for me this film was one epic scene after another, every actor was doing amazing work and the whole film was just so sweeping while mixing it in with harsh violence and some funny asides, I don't need anything more from a crime film.

Really good list to date. A few surprises but no "complaints" quite yet.

Again, the 43-41 range is a bit low. I was expecting at least Shawshank and Toy Story in the Top 20.

But really glad animation is doing well. As someone who does appreciate animation as its own medium and not just kids' stuff, I really like all the animated films listed so far. And by my estimates, one in particular will end up very high.

Two movies were seen only by four voters. Here we have them both with a #1 vote.

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35. (43.) 牯嶺街少年殺人事件 [A Brighter Summer Day] (1991) Director: Edward Yang Country: Taiwan Points: 710,39 Year rank: #9 of 1991 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #39. Votes: 4 Fans: BleuPanda #1, Greg #16, Dexter #18 Haters: None Comment(s): It's funny that my favorite film of the 90s was until this past year largely unavailable within the United States; though released in 1991, it appears to exist outside of time, one of those rare films spoken of as a legend. If you could only get the chance to see it...thank god for the Criterion Collection. A Brighter Summer Day is a true epic of cinema, both in length and scope of production. Featuring over a hundred actors, A Brighter Summer Day is an exploration of an entire community. It is a story of gang warfare, national identity, love, everything that can be fit in; it is as complex as the lives of the teenagers that sit at the heart of its narrative. Though four hours in length, every little moment is expertly crafted. Edward Yang juggles many threads, but he never misses a beat. (BleuPanda)

Upon first viewing was just okay. but after watching again for this poll, I see the good stuff in it. (whuntva)

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34. (40.) Die zweite Heimat - Chronik einer Jugend [Heimat II: A Chronicle of a Generation] (1992) Director: Edgar Reitz Country: Germany Points: 713,88 Year rank: #9 of 1992 Rank in last round: 47 (Up 13) Votes: 4 Fans: Petri #1, antonius #3, bonnielaurel #29 Haters: None Comment(s): There is a lot going on here; I really wish I could have taken this in over a longer period of time, but I entered this round of films with the goal of watching them all and I wasn't going to let Heimat ruin that, as much as that ultimately ended up ruining Heimat for me. Watching Heimat II as if it were a film the same as all these other works, not enough was happening. It was also difficult for me to connect to the series' questioning of national identity. I'm sure both Heimat I and II would have gripped me a lot more if the most accessible American release of the series didn't have the lowest quality possible; every sprawling piece of cinematography had noticeable pixelation. Heimat likely deserves better than both what I and the company that released it here have given, but I also think 26 hours is too much of an investment for someone not at all gripped by its story. (BleuPanda)

I’m not sure should this 26 hours long(!) second part of almost 60 hours long film-series really be here. But now when we have it I don’t see any better film here in the list. This is in the same league as the best seasons of The Wire and Six Feet Under (my two favorite tv-series ever). I didn’t like Heimat I so much but this second part totally clicked on me. Watching Hermann and his friends studying, making music and films, growing up or got stuck in a moment they are in, been disappointent then radicalized or wisen is pure pleasure (if you give it time it needs). Edgar Reitz captures perfectly the times and lifes of West German art-students in the 1950s and 1960s. (Petri)

Your name is Rosetta. My name is Rosetta. You found a job. I found a job.

33. (30.) Rosetta (1999) Director: Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne Country: Belgium Points: 719,74 Year rank: #8 of 1999 Rank in last round: Not in the final. Year rank #22. Votes: 10 Fans: fredp #5, Depeche Mode #8, Rob #12, Petri #15 Haters: None Comment(s): I'm still trying to wrap my head around the Dardenne Brothers, but they have really mastered understated narratives. Their stories are backed by phenomenal camerawork, the type that creates the illusion of closeness between audience and character. The stakes seem small, but they mean the world to Rosetta; it follows in the footsteps of films like Bicycle Thieves, showcasing how the little moments can really begin wearing someone down. (BleuPanda)

Overwhelming lead performance and brutal closness of the camera made this on of the most memorable film I watched last year. You know it’s great when a story is so sad and I wanted to watch it again a week after(and I did). (DepecheMode)

I'm a writer, you monsters! I create! I create for a living! I'm a creator! I am a creator!

31. (37.) Barton Fink (1991) Director: Joel & Ethan Coen Country: USA, UK Points: 728,48 Year rank: #5 of 1991 Rank in last round: 83 (Up 52!!!) Votes: 16 Fans: Rob #11, Midaso #11, Michel #18, Rocky Raccoon #18, Dexter #22, BleuPanda #23 Haters: None Comment(s): The one Coen film that could be argued to be a horror movie, Barton Fink is an expert exploration of desperation in the Hollywood system. John Turturro is great as a nervous playwright-turned-screenwriter, but the true star is John Goodman, who plays the invasive neighbor who might just be the devil himself. Though the atmosphere is dense, it also maintains an air of cynical humor throughout. (BleuPanda)

If memories could be canned, would they also have expiry dates? If so, I hope they last for centuries.

29. (34.) 重慶森林 [Chungking Express] (1994) Director: Wong Kar Wai Country: Hong Kong Points: 734,46 Year rank: #7 of 1994 Rank in last round: 51 (Up 22) Votes: 12 Fans: BleuPanda #11, Rob #14, Dexter #16, Midaso #16, Petri #17 Haters: None Comment(s): Chungking Express is a story divided in two halves; the first is a more traditional tale of broken hearts and crime, but it takes a unique turn with its second story, which finds two lovers who appear to communicate mostly through indirectness. Both sides are dizzying in their style; Wong Kar Wai draws from a lot of ideas regarding cinema to turn rather mundane experiences into kinetic affairs. (BleuPanda)

I shouldn't drink. When I do I keep thinking of coffins.

28. (29.) Sátántangó [Satan's Tango] (1994) Director: Bela Tarr Country: Hungary Points: 734,51 Year rank: #4 of 1994 Rank in last round: 28 (No change) Votes: 7 Fans: Greg #4, Petri #12, BleuPanda #15, Rob #17, whuntva #21 Haters: None Comment(s): Satantango is truly one of the most odd works of cinema to be considered a classic; not only is it seven hours in length, but each individual shot is comparatively massive. Few movies craft a sense of desolation this dense; even in scenes with groups, the relations between people feel empty. Many of the best scenes in this movie simply find people walking from one place to another; Bela Tarr explores every detail of their movement, simply following as they move. This excessive portrayal of detail in a world without much that demands to be detailed perfectly captures an age of desperation, and the community's fall into following a false prophet feels like the natural progression. (BleuPanda)

A film seven hours long and made up of many tracking shots surprisingly is not the least bit boring. (whuntva)

A guy told me one time, "Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner."

I was holding back this one for years, this was not one of my childhood films. After watching initially I was let down, and a lot of the criticism still holds true for me – underdeveloped storylines, annoying melodrama with Natalie Portman, weird escape of Neil after the gunfight. But overall, this is the thriller/drama I wanted it to be. Just so many scenes that I watched again and again, it combines the endless watchability of Goodfellas with poetic nature of The Godfather. Al Pacino ruins the film for some I heard but I can’t imagine this film without him. Neil and Eady storyline is beautiful and ‘Mystery Man’ track by Terje Rypdal is the most beautiful piece of film music for me. In truth, I think Blackhat is Mann’s most acomplished work as it doesn’t have the flaws of Heat but there is just the iconic nature of this film that puts it on top of Blackhat and on top of this list too. (DepecheMode)

Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.

26. (24.) Schindler's List (1993) Director: Steven Spielberg Country: USA Points: 763,32 Year rank: #2 of 1993 Rank in last round: 16 (Down 10) Votes: 19 Fans: Dexter #2, Rocky Raccoon #7, Krurze #7, bootsy #8, Bruno #17, whuntva #20, BleuPanda #26, Rob #28 Haters: None Comment(s): Schindler's List is an odd film to discuss. Steven Spielberg is a master director, and on a pure technical level, this is perhaps his greatest film. Behind all of that, however, is a director talented in the ways of suspense, an element that creates some questionable moments in a rather serious film. Nothing in this film is understated; Spielberg is very surface-level with the messages here. Yet certain moments feel altogether manipulative in their bluntness; the suspense of the shower scene is so visibly the work of someone experienced with big budget thrillers. It's a powerful film, but it should be with its subject. There are moments where I feel Spielberg overdoes it to the point of sentimentality. (BleuPanda)

Great presentation Petri! Looking forward to the top 25! (I'll probably only be familiar with 3 of them haha.)

Hmm, I always thought "The Sixth Sense" was a critical favorite. I guess I was wrong.

Also, sorry about that B-movie mislabeling, I jumped to use cinephile lingo too soon. Thinking about it again, I agree, "Groundhog Day" is not a B-movie. It easily falls into the romantic comedy genre over any other labeling.

So, apparently I am a hater and a fan of Short Cuts? I'm a fan, actually. My name comes up a lot by films I'm not a hater for. Every time it says "/82" it's not me. I think it is Miguel, since he has actually voted for 82 films, while I did 109. All my placements as fan are correct, though.

BleuPanda wrote:The Double Life of Veronique deals with an eerie sense of connectedness; could we exist at different places as different people at the same time, and when one life is out of balance, what happens to the other? Though the two characters never truly meet, the events of one resonates with the other. It is directed in a straightforward style, which allows its existential question to expand as it carries on.

I like your comments, BleuPanda, but I have to strongly disagree here. Double Vie directed in a straightforward style? It's a very stylized films if you ask me, even if it is done in a subtle way. Everything about the cinematography, the music and the editing gives me the feeling of something unreal, something almost dreamlike. It fits well with the deja-vu-inspired plot. It's unique feel is what makes it such a special film.

Excellent and seamless presentation, Petri! All the essential film details are there. The commentaries are also great, particularly BleuPanda's who, kudos to him, saw all 150 movies. As to the results, I like the unpredictability of it. I didn't expect 'Out of Sight' to rank so low and 'Heat' to place so high, though I am not a "hater" of the latter film.

LOL at most the USA films at the bottom. What a joke. This will probably be the last time I participate in a obviously biased and skewed poll like this. I normally don't whine about stuff like this but this is a very slanted and one sided poll.

bootsy wrote:LOL at most the USA films at the bottom. What a joke. This will probably be the last time I participate in a obviously biased and skewed poll like this. I normally don't whine about stuff like this but this is a very slanted and one sided poll.

Sometimes there are movies that were made in other countries beside the United States that just happen to be great. Most of the foreign movies I love, I honestly love, just like most Hollywood movies I love, I honestly love. Country and language has no boundary for me when it comes to cinema. And plus, films like Three Colors: Blue just happen to be better, imo, than films like The Shawshank Redemption and Schindler's List, both films I am more than overjoyed at their drops. It doesn't matter that it's French, I just connected with it more than the two I mentioned.

No, I didn't vote in this poll, because I hadn't simply seen enough of the '90s to honestly give a good ranking. But I am now very intrigued in Hal Hartley's Trust which did really well... Oh, and it's an American film!

bootsy wrote:LOL at most the USA films at the bottom. What a joke. This will probably be the last time I participate in a obviously biased and skewed poll like this. I normally don't whine about stuff like this but this is a very slanted and one sided poll.

Literally 60% of the movies in this final 150 are from the USA; you're calling this biased because they're not all doing well?

You do realize about 17 of the remaining movies are American, right? That's even higher of a percentage than the overall list in the top 25! Add to that that most of the remaining foreign films are in English; and you're claiming this list is biased because it's not American enough, when the grand majority of the world gets a single movie at most in the top ranks?

Sorry, bootsy, but you are the biased one; and the fact that you're taking offense at other countries getting the slightest bit of representation, specifically on a forum with many Europeans, stinks heavily of xenophobia. Stop expecting us to cater to your specific and limited taste; if you're not going to open up your world view and then yell at us for having wider taste, then yes, please don't participate. We don't need your hateful and altogether inaccurate analysis here.

If I could begin to be, half of what you think of me,I could do about anything, I could even learn how to love.